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Pennsylvania

While the vintage neon sign would’ve made me snap a photo, I have to thank Diners of Pennsylvania author and FB pal Kyle Weaver for recommending a visit to Kuppy’s Diner in Middletown, PA. Retro Roadhusband and I were en route to a long overdue weekend away, and what better way to kick off a long weekend than breakfast in a diner?

Though it’s now surrounded by brick, Kuppy’s -named for the Kupp family who have owned and run the diner since 1933 – is a cozy Ward & Dickenson diner, with a small added on dining area off to the side. There’s a photo of the original Kuppy’s diner here on their Facebook page -( “Like” ‘em while you’re there, they’re swell folks!)

Now, I know it sounds strange to mention the tastiness of the bacon at Kuppy’s, but lately I’ve had more than my fair share of bacon that looked like bacon, and tasted like…nothing. Not here at Kuppy’s though – it was thick, juicy, cooked just right (on the grill right behind the narrow counter) and packed a wallop of flavor with every bite. Totally reminded me of bacon at my grandmother’s house.

The bacon was part of Retro Roadhusband’s meal, and the fact that he let me sample some just shows what a lucky gal I am! Lucky for the both of us the portions at Kuppy’s are big enough to share, without someone “growling at the bowl!”

And what did I have for breakfast at this diminutive diner? I was healthy and had oatmeal.

Oatmeal PIE that is!

Whoo boy, was this a sweet kick in the pants early in the morning, with a toasted coconut crust atop a gooey layer of oatmeal with a sweet taste reminiscent of pecan pie, sans pecans. I’ve read that this is an Amish recipe, and since Kuppy’s was at one point the only diner between Lancaster and Harrisburg, PA I’m not surprised.

Rumor has it that Kuppy’s is famous for their “secret family recipe” baked oatmeal. It’s not on the menu, but you can order it – and the folks at the diner says it’s one of Kyle Weaver’s favorite dishes at Kuppy’s.

Kyle himself reports:

The baked oatmeal at Kuppy’s is out of this world! Unlike the usual oatmeal, in which the oats are boiled in a pot of water on the stove top, this variation is made by combining the oats with eggs, milk, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon and then baking it in the oven until a firm layer is formed. The result is like cake, with the outside crispy and the inside soft. It is served hot with milk, and although it’s perfectly delicious just like that, it is also good with bananas or berries.

Dang that sounds delish! I’ll have to try that next time.

And if our meal, and the droolworthy daily specials items they list on their FB page are any indication, you’re in for a big treat when you visit: Baked ham with raisin sauce, chicken orzo soup, wet bottom shoo fly pie, homemade chicken pot pie…I’m drooling just typing this!

One of the things that warms my heart when I’m in a diner is overhearing the recognition between the folks working there and the regulars. “Hello, princess!” I may hear an elderly gent say to the waitress, or she may know exactly what the fellow at the counter wants before he even says so. Asking about a sick relative, joshing with the other regulars as they walk in, it’s nice to know that this type of familiarity and friendliness exist still.

Even if I’m only dashing in for a quick meal while I’m on the road, I love knowing that the social bond between strangers still exists because of communal places like Kuppy’s, and will continue long after I’ve made my visit.

So while the outside may have been remodeled, I’m glad to report that the heart of this diner is still beating strong!

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hp

HOW did I grow up 3 miles from this place and never go there!?

http://retroroadmap.com Mod Betty

HP – it’s a bit subtle as it’s been bricked over, so you may have missed it that way. BUT there’s a thrift shop right around the corner from there, so now you have no excuse!

http://www.roadsidewonders.net roadsidewonders

One of our favorite places for breakfast … if we can get in the door, that is

http://retroroadmap.com Mod Betty

I know, it’s a tiny lil place, huh? Have you ever had the baked oatmeal? I’m now dying for it!

With Retro Roadmap, Mod Betty makes it easy for you to find Cool Vintage Places - (grand)mom & (grand)pop places that have stood the test of time while still retaining their authentic charm.

Along the way we'll have some Retro Fun at gatherings that celebrate the best of the decades before us.

By visiting and supporting these places you will be helping to keep them alive, and to reinforce that their vintage look and charm is something worth saving and preserving, not stuccoing over in an attempt to update. We love the old stuff!

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